Stern light mounting for outboard motors



Y 1959 E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,887,563

STERN LIGHT MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed June 28, 1957 INVENTOR, ELMER CARL KIEKHAEFER BY ,MW

ATTO RNEYS United States PatentO Claims. (Cl. 2407.5)

This invention relates to signal or warning lamps for outboard motors for boats. 7

Signal devices of this character should be located in such a manner that they are out of the way of the occupants of the boat and at a sufficient elevation above the water so they can be readily seen by others. These devices should also be capable of being stored when not in use. There is also the danger of misplacing such a signal device,-dropping it over the side of the boat, or having it become detached and thereby lost. I

In accordance with this invention there has been provided a signal lamp for attachment directly to an outboard motor and which forms a part thereof. The invention contemplates that the light and its mounting can be readily stored within the cowl of the motor when the light is not in use. When in the operative position, the light is located in an area where it will not interfere with the occupants of the boat and at an elevation where it can be readily seen from a distance. No special tools are required to shift the light between operative and inoperative positions and there is no danger of losing or neglecting to bring the light along.

A certain aspect of the invention further provides a flexible mounting for the light which insures against damage thereto in the event it strikes an obstruction, such as a low bridge, branch or other overhead obstruction. This mounting also serves to prevent motor vibrations from reaching the light which would otherwise shorten the life thereof.

These and other advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view taken from the rear, left side of an outboard motor embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, showing the light and mounting of Figure 1, but on enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an outboard motor embodying a modification of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, showing the light and mounting of Figure 3, but on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view with parts broken away and in section showing the light and mounting of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the outboard motor includes the cowling 11 within which is located the engine 12. The motor is adapted to be secured to the stern 12a of a boat by the clamp 13.

Adjacent the rear end of the cowling and at the top side thereof is an aperture 14 in which is secured, as by welding, a sleeve 15. The top end of sleeve 15 is flush with the curved portion of the cowling top so as to present a clean design. 1

An open space 16 is defined by the engine 12 and the rear wall of housing 10 and extends generally in a vertical direction.

2,887,563 rammed May 19, 1959 The extensible mounting 17 for the light 18 includes'a lower tubular member 19 which extends through sleeve 15 and forms a snug sliding fit therewith. A stop member in the'form ofa collar 20 is secured on the lower end of member 19 and a similar collar 21 is secured adjacent the top end of the member. The collars 20, 21 are adapted to abut against sleeve 15 when the member 19 is in the fully raised or lowered position, respectively, and thereby prevent the mounting from becoming detached from the cowling. The frictional resistance between member 19 and sleeve 15 acts to hold the mounting in any desired position. e

The light 18 may be secured directly to the top end of member 19 as shown in Figure 5. However, if additional height is desired for the operating position of the light, than would otherwise be permitted by the vertical space 16 within cowling 10, an upper portion in the form of an additional tubular member 22 may be telescopingly mounted within the lower portion 19 and light 18 would be secured to the top end of member 22, as shown in Figure 2.

Themounting 17 can be fully contracted within the cowling 10 simply by pushing member 19 therewithin. If the additional member 22 is used it would be pushed within member 19 in the inoperative or storage position.

In the modification shown in Figures 3 and 4, parts I similar to those shown in Figures 1 and 2 have been correspondingly numbered. The mounting of this modification comprises a flexible coil spring 24 which extends through sleeve 15 and has the light 18 secured to the top thereof. A stop member or collar 25 is secured adjacent the bottom of the spring to prevent withdrawal thereof from the sleeve.

The spring 24 is of the tightly wound type which is fairly rigid and self-supporting. The diameter of the spring is such so as to fit snugly in the sleeve 15 and therefore is frictionally held therein in any desired position.

The spring, while self-supporting, is of sutficient flexibility so as to readily bend in the event it is struck by an overhead obstruction or the like. Upon passing the obstruction it quickly restores itself to its operating position. M

As well as preventing damage to the mounting or light, the spring also performs another important function, namely that of absorbing the vibrations emanating from the engine 12, thus prolonging the life of the light.

Furthermore, due to its flexibility, the spring can defleet when being pushed within the cowling 10 so as to readily accommodate itself to the space within the cowl.

Both types of mountings are hollow so as to receive the electrical wires 26 extending upwardly to the light to furnish power thereto from any available source (not shown). When the mountings are being retracted, the wires simply nest in the space 16.

By means of this invention there has been provided a signal light which forms a part of the outboard motor and which can easily be shifted between operative and inoperative positions and in intermediate steps. The light is located in an eflicient and convenient location when in use. When in the storage position it is completely out of the way where it is always available.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within thescope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. In an outboard motor, a cowling member having a boss projecting inwardly from the upper side thereof and an aperture extending through the cowling mem- 3 her and boss, a light supporting member disposed in the aperture and adapted for sliding movement therein between an extended position above the cowling and a retracted position within the cowling, and stop means on the lower end of said member to prevent withdrawal of the member from the cowling.

2. In combination with an outboard motor having a cowling provided with an aperture in the upper side thereof, a light supporting member disposed in the aperture and forming a snug fit therewith for sliding movement therein between an extended position above the cowling and a retracted position within the cowling, and'stop means on the lower end of said member to prevent withdrawal of the member from the cowling.

3. In an outboard motor, a cowling provided with an aperature in the upper side thereof, a rigid tubular member disposed in the aperture. and forming a snug fit therewith for sliding movement therein between an extended position above the cowling and a retracted position within the cowling, a light receiving socket means provided at the upper end of said member outwardly of the cowling and adapted to have a light secured therein, and stop means on the lower end of said member to prevent withdrawal of the member from the aperture in the cowling.

4. In an outboard motor, a cowling provided with an aperture in the upper side thereof, a mounting for a warning light comprising inner and outer telescoping members, socket means carried at the upper end of the inner member and adapted to receive a warning light,

the outer of said members being disposed in the cowling aperture and adapted for sliding movement therein between an extended position above the cowling and a retracted position within the cowling, and stop means on the lower end of said outer member to prevent withdrawal of the member from the cowling aperture.

5. In an outboard motor, a cowling provided with an aperture in the upper side thereof, a mounting for a warning light comprising a flexible self-supporting coil spring member disposed in the aperture and adapted for sliding movement therein between an extended position above the cowling and a retracted position within the cowling, socket means carried at the upper end of the member and adapted to receive a light, and stop means on the lower end of said member to prevent withdrawal of the member from the cowling aperture, said flexible member being adapted to deflect upon meeting an obstruction when in the extended position and for accommodation in the available space within the cowling when in the retracted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,547,128 Kiekhaefer Apr. 3, 1951 2,667,323 Mason Jan. 26, 1954 2,718,866 Kiekhaefer Sept. 27, 1955 2,738,492 Arneson et a1. Mar. 13, 1956 

